Leominster man in slaying case wants statements tossed

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — A Leominster man charged with fatally stabbing his brother during a fight wants statements he made to police after the slaying dismissed as evidence.

Twenty-year-old Andrew Morales is awaiting trial on charges including murder in connection with the October 2011 stabbing death of 22-year-old Richard Morales Jr.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that Andrew Morales' lawyer said in court Wednesday that his client made statements to police before being read his Miranda warning and his rights to counsel were violated when police failed to tell him his lawyer had arrived at the station.

Prosecutors countered that police were not required to read Morales his Miranda warning at the scene because he was not in custody.

Andrew Morales is free on $40,000 bail. His lawyer says the stabbing was self-defense.